Competition Intensifies in the MTN Y’ello Star Contest

Competition Intensifies in the MTN Y’ello Star Contest.

The MTN Y’ello Star 2 competition has reached a crucial stage as judges have handpicked fifteen contestants from a pool of 500 hopefuls to advance to the next phase: the Y’ello Academy.

Deangers M. Hyverland, Icey, Keith Hunder, Davidetta Bainda, Emmathia Duncan, Rewina Henneh, Willie Harmon, Benkies Dolo, Andrew Williams, John Rudolph During, Samuel Dean, Bobby Tamba, Samuel Mulbah, Vanessa Karn, and Jervis Johnson are the chosen contestants who will embark on their journey in the Y’ello Academy starting Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Over the next three weeks, these contestants will undergo intensive masterclasses covering various aspects of the music industry, including vocalization, stage performance, dance, production, branding and marketing, entrepreneurship, copywriting, and publishing. Throughout this period, they will face elimination rounds, with only five finalists progressing to the grand finale, where the ultimate winner of the 2022 MTN Y’ello Star competition will be crowned.

The announcement was made live on Facebook by Head Judge Chris Wolo and acclaimed singer and rapper Geno, who personally congratulated each winner. One standout contestant, thirty-year-old Jervis Johnson from Cape Mount County, received the news while at work, surrounded by his colleagues. Expressing his excitement, Johnson acknowledged that the road ahead would be challenging but emphasized his dedication to learning and growing as an artist.

Mr. Wolo echoed Johnson’s sentiments, emphasizing that contestants should expect to be pushed out of their comfort zones and challenged to showcase their versatility and creativity.

The selection process involved reviewing video submissions from over 500 contestants, as well as holding face-to-face auditions in Ganta City and Monrovia. The judges carefully assessed each contestant based on criteria such as vocal ability, star quality, lyric pronunciation, creativity, and self-awareness.

While only fifteen contestants were chosen for the Y’ello Academy, the judges acknowledged the talent and potential of all participants, encouraging those who didn’t make it this year to persevere and try again in the future.

The stakes are high for the winner of MTN Y’ello Star 2, who will receive a brand-new car, a 1.5 million LRD record deal, USD 300 cash prize, and a one-year performance contract with Lonestar Cell MTN. Additionally, they will receive monthly data allowances and gas vouchers. The winner will also have the opportunity to perform at the MTN Liberia Music Awards in November, with the grand finale of MTN Y’ello Star 2 scheduled to take place at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in September.